PL/SQL Concepts

for Beginners

Oracle Training
Featuring Sam Weber, OCP Senior DBA, Attask Inc.

After taking this class, you should know how to:

define PL/SQL Learn and understand the use of the 3 Main PL/SQL block sections Create and execute an anonymous PL/SQL block from SQL*Plus Create and call a named PL/SQL block as a stored object in an Oracle schema

After taking this class, you should know how to:

Handle exceptions and error messages in your PL/SQL Understand the uses of (and differences between) stored procedures, functions, triggers and packages Use If-then statements to branch your coding logic Create and use simple For-next and While Loops to process multiple records

What is PL/SQL?
Procedural Language/Structured Query Language is Oracles own language developed to code stored procedures that interacts seamlessly with database objects PL/SQL is similar to other coding languages such as C++ or Java in that it allows the use of declared variables, IF-THEN branching, LOOPS and advanced error handling PL/SQL much more powerful than standard SQL And can be recompiled into native languages.

Why use PL/SQL?

Communicates natively with DB objects faster on queries and DML Managed as objects in the DB - easier to maintain and edit Operates directly on the Server itself which tends to be a faster box with more RAM Broad base of features and functions allow far more flexible uses than SQL

Regular Code Processed on the Client

RESULT DATA

DATA

Oracle Database

PL/SQL - Process on the Server

RESULT

?
RESULT PL/SQL CALL

Oracle Database

The PL/SQL Block Structure the 3 main blocks

Variable declaration section - optionally may begin with DECLARE - identifies all variable names and init values Executable - mandatory - starts with BEGIN, ends with END: - contains executing code Exception handler - optional - starts with keyword EXCEPTION inside Exec section

The PL/SQL Block

v_Counter Number := 0;

DECLARATION AREA
EXECUTION AREA

V_Title BEGIN

Varchar2(25);

select count(*) from movie into v_Counter

where title = v_Title; EXCEPTION

EXCEPTION AREA

WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN RAISE

END;

DECLARATION section
Cursors, Variables and Arrays declared Optional Doesnt require explicit DECLARE data type can be hard-coded or typed by table_name.column_name

Variables
The name of an address in memory Content may be passed IN or OUT
Assignment done by using:

:=

data type can be hard-coded or typed by table_name.column_name Can be used in equations, functions and predicate comparisons in SQL statements

DECLARE examples
n_Counter Number := 0; v_Type Varchar2(10); v_Boolean Char(1) := T; V_Title MOVIE.TITLE%TYPE;

The Executable Section

Stores all the statements processed by Oracle when the block is ran. Each executable statement must be terminated by a semi-colon. May use same operators, predicates and functions that SQL uses. Additionally, may use variables and programming formulas/constructs.

Exception Handling
Any Oracle error can be mapped to an exception and RAISED Exception block is optional Can print using DBMS_OUTPUT: Special Code Blocks can be executed in the event of specific errors Create your own error messages

Exception Handling Example

EXCEPTION
WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN NULL;

WHEN OTHERS THEN RAISE;

WHEN OTHERS THEN DBMS_OUTPUT.Put_line (SQLCODE || SQLERRM);

SET Serveroutput on size 10000

SQL*Plus Set environment command Enables screen display within PL/SQL code Size parameter defines the amount of buffer available to store output Size parameter is optional Used with DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE

What is DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE?
One of hundreds of PL/SQL packages (stored objects) provided by Oracle in its internal data dictionary Can be called like any other stored object Display hard coded text and values stored in memory to the screen Arguments are passed to the package

Hello World Example

SET SERVEROUTPUT ON SIZE 10000 BEGIN DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('HELLO WORLD!'); END; /

Task
Add a 2nd line to your Hello World example displaying the words My name is .

1a

Solution!

SET SERVEROUTPUT ON SIZE 10000 BEGIN DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('HELLO WORLD! My name is Sam'); END; /

BEGIN & END DML example

BEGIN INSERT INTO MOVIE (TITLE) VALUES ('LORD OF THE RINGS-RETURN OF THE KING'); COMMIT; END; /
ANY DML SQL WILL WORK HERE

Add a Declare Section

DECLARE v_movie varchar2(100); BEGIN v_Movie := 'Lord of the Rings Return of the King'; INSERT INTO MOVIE (TITLE) VALUES (v_movie); COMMIT; END; /
Now we add a variable to pass values in

Concatenation in PUT_LINE
The double bar ( || ) is used in SQL to blend strings with other strings OR with a column name. PL/SQL adds the ability to display the value of a variable in memory DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE can use this to display a message:

DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ( Movie Name is || v_movie);

TASK!
Edit the insert a movie PL/SQL to insert your favorite movie Add a DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE display to the screen a message showing your favorite movie was added successfully to the movie table

3a

Solution!
DECLARE v_movie varchar2(100); BEGIN v_Movie := 'Avatar'; INSERT INTO MOVIE (TITLE) VALUES (v_movie); COMMIT; DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE (v_Movie||' inserted successfully'); END; /

A PL/SQL block EXAMPLE

DECLARE V_Counter number; BEGIN SELECT COUNT(*) INTO v_Counter FROM MOVIE WHERE upper(TITLE) LIKE 'LORD%'; IF v_Counter <> 0 THEN DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('There are '|| v_Counter || ' movies starting with the word LORD'); END IF; END; /

4a

Indirect Cursors
DECLARE V_Counter number; BEGIN SELECT COUNT(*) INTO v_Counter FROM MOVIE WHERE upper(TITLE) LIKE 'LORD%'; DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('There are '|| v_Counter || ' movies starting with the word LORD'); END; /

What is an indirect cursor?

A single row select query Returns 1 or more fields Value is assigned to a named area of memory Named area is a PL/SQL variable Often used with aggregate functions like count, sum etc.

Indirect Cursor Example

DECLARE V_TODAY_DATE DATE; BEGIN SELECT SYSDATE INTO v_TODAY_DATE FROM DUAL; END; /

Indirect Cursor Multiple Row Example

DECLARE v_title varchar2(50); v_star varchar2(50); BEGIN SELECT TITLE, STAR INTO v_Title, v_Star FROM Movie where ID = 245; END; /

What happens if you get no rows or more than 1?

0 Rows returns: ORA-01403: no data found Greater than 1 rows returned results in: ORA-01422 exact fetch returns more than requested number of rows Normally see it doesnt happen! If it does, PL/SQL can handle it

The Movie Table

TITLE TYPE RATING STAR ID MOVIE_DATE

VARCHAR2(50) VARCHAR2(25) VARCHAR2(15) VARCHAR2(25) NUMBER DATE

TASK!
Create a PL/SQL program with an indirect cursor which assigns a count of how many movies are of type Comedy Display that number using DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE

4b

Solution!

DECLARE V_Counter number; BEGIN SELECT COUNT(*) INTO v_Counter FROM MOVIE WHERE upper(type) LIKE 'COMEDY DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('Number of comedy movies: '|| v_Counter ); END; /

PL/SQL Syntax and Constructs

Assignment of Variables and Constants Boolean Operators Predicate Operators String Concatenation Arithmetic Expressions IF THEN statements LOOPs

Assignment of Variables and Constants

Assign values to variables
v1 := 100 date1 := SYSDATE + 7; Initialize a variable LordofRings varchar2 := One of the Best Movies Ever;

Avatar varchar2 := good graphics but lousy political message ;

Initialize a constant pi CONSTANT number := 3.145;

Default Values
Default of string values is NULL
An empty string is still NULL in Oracle

Default of date is NULL Default of numeric is 0

Boolean Operators
LOGICAL AND, OR and NOT
IF A < B AND NOT (C = 100

OR
C= 150) THEN D := 5000;

Predicate Operators
=
!= <> > >= <

Equal
Not Equal Greater Than Greater Than or Equal Less Than

<=;

Less Than or Equal

Predicate Operators
BETWEEN
IN LIKE

between 100 and 200

IN (A,B,Z) LIKE %New York% LIKE _Z%

Arithmetic Expressions
+
* / **

Addition
Subtraction Multiplication Division Power of

()

To group expressions

IF THEN
IF
Statement; ELSIF BOOLEAN expression THEN

BOOLEAN expression

THEN

Statement; ELSE Statement;

END IF;

Counter
V_CNT number := 0

BEGIN LOOP
-----------------------------------V_CNT := V_CNT + 1; END LOOP;

IF THEN Example
IF movie.type = comedy THEN Comedy_count := Comedy_count +1; ELSIF movie.type = action THEN Action_count := Action_count + 1; ELSE Other_count := Other_count + 1; END IF;

IF ! THEN Example
IF NOT movie.type = comedy Other_count := Other_count +1; ELSE Comedy_count := Comedy_count + 1; END IF; ! Can be used instead of NOT THEN

TASK!
Using the PL/SQL program in task 4 Add IF THEN logic to display different messages depending on the number of Comedy Movies found If number is less < 10 then display Few comedy movies elsif > 10 and < 35 then display Some Comedy movies else display Many Comedy Movies; Display the messages using DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE

5b

Solution!
DECLARE V_Counter number; BEGIN SELECT COUNT(*) INTO v_Counter FROM MOVIE WHERE upper(type) LIKE 'COMEDY'; IF v_Counter < 10 then DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('Few comedy movies'); ELSIF v_Counter BETWEEN 11 AND 35 THEN DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('Some comedy movies'); ELSE DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('Many comedy movies'); END IF; END; /

Simple LOOP
LOOP
Statement; IF BOOLEAN expression THEN

EXIT; END IF; END LOOP;

Simple LOOP Example

LOOP
Insert into dvd (DVD_ID) values com||v_count; v_Count := v_Count + 1;

IF

v_Count >= 100

THEN

EXIT; END LOOP;

Simple LOOP with WHEN Example

LOOP
Insert into dvd (DVD_ID) values com||v_count; vCount := vCount + 1;

EXIT WHEN END LOOP;

v_Count >= 100 ;

FOR LOOP
FOR i in a .. b LOOP
Statement; END LOOP;

For LOOP Example

BEGIN
FOR SEQ in 10 .. 20 LOOP

Insert into A (PROC) values (SEQ);

END LOOP; COMMIT;

END;

/
* Executes 11 inserts with seq incrementing by 1 each loop

TASK!
Using the PL/SQL program in lab task 6 Add logic to make the value inserted into the table rows go backwards from 20 to 10 Be aware that the values in your loop need to move forward in sequence, thus you cannot simply switch the values 10 and 20

6b

Solution!
DECLARE v_count number := 20; BEGIN FOR seq in 10 .. 20 LOOP Insert into A (PROC) values (v_count); v_count := v_count - 1; END LOOP; COMMIT; END; /

Direct Cursors
DECLARE

CURSOR c_movie IS
SELECT type FROM movie; BEGIN FOR v_movie in c_movie LOOP -----------------------------------------------------END LOOP; END; /

What is an direct cursor?

A MULTIPLE row select query Data placed in an area of memory Cursor name is a pointer to start of the data Data can be processed row by row from beginning to end only Columns referenced with the cursor name followed by a dot and the column name

Direct Cursors used in a FOR NEXT loop

DECLARE V_count number := 0; BEGIN FOR v_movie in (SELECT type FROM movie) LOOP IF v_movie.type = 'Drama' then v_count := v_count + 1; END IF; END LOOP; DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('Number of Drama movies: ' || v_count); END; /

Insert the select cursor directly into the in clause

Types of PL/SQL in Oracle

ANONYMOUS PL/SQL BLOCKS NAMED PL/SQL BLOCKS
STORED PROCEDURE STORED FUNCTION PACKAGE TRIGGER

Anonymous PL/SQL block

A standalone script holding a block of PL/SQL code which contains a series of PL/SQL commands designed to be parsed and executed at the same time from an SQL utility. The code is not stored in the Oracle DB as an object.

Anonymous PL/SQL block EXAMPLE

DECLARE V_count number := 0; BEGIN FOR v_movie in (SELECT TYPE, COUNT(*) CNT FROM movie GROUP BY TYPE) LOOP INSERT INTO MOVIE_COUNT (v_movie.type, v_movie.CNT) END LOOP; DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE (Movie Counts Inserted . '); END; /

Executing Anonymous PL/SQL block from SQL*Plus

Use get command to retrieve text SQL> get Movie_block.sql OR Copy block (CTRL-C) then (CTRL-V) then use run or / command to execute SQL> run SQL> /

Executing Anonymous PL/SQL block from SQL*Plus

Save the PL/SQL to a file SQL> @path\filename @c:\beg_lab_scripts\8.sql OR use SQL*Plus Worksheet

Named PL/SQL blocks

Stored as Oracle objects with names Procedures, Functions, Packages, Triggers First 3 can be called from other PL/SQL blocks as in Hello World! example

Named PL/SQL block beginning

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE PROC_NAME SUBPROGRAM AREA Identifies variable references passed IN and OUT

Subprogram Area
Enclosed by parentheses Defines passed parameters both in and out Hard-coded or typed data typing Separated by commas

Subprogram Area Example

CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE EMPLOYEE_SALARY_PRC (empno IN Number, deptno IN OUT Varchar2(25), salary OUT EMPLOYEE.SALARY%type)

Subprogram Area Example for Procedures

IN - Subprogram needs a variable passed to it, READ ONLY OUT - Not passed in or read by the subprogram, references an area of memory which can be used to pass data out IN OUT - Passed variable that references an area of memory that can be altered by the subprogram

Procedure
A block of PL/SQL code containing a series of statements which can accept and/or return variables by way of referenced memory.
This is done by looking at or changing their value in memory. If changed, that area of memory can be looked at by the calling block.

Procedure Example

CREATE OR REPLACE procedure movie_TYPE_prc (v_type in varchar2) IS V_count number := 0; BEGIN EXECUTE IMMEDIATE 'TRUNCATE TABLE MOVIE_TEMP'; FOR v_movie in (SELECT TITLE FROM movie WHERE TYPE = v_type) LOOP INSERT INTO MOVIE_TEMP (TITLE) VALUES (v_movie.TITLE); END LOOP; COMMIT; DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE (v_type || ' movies inserted into temp table'); END; / SHOW ERRORS

9a

Executing a procedure

execute movie_TYPE_prc (Drama');

Pass IN the Type as an argument string

Executing Procedure Examples

From SQL*Plus passing parameters
SQL> execute movie_TYPE_prc (Drama);

From SQL*Plus (no parameters) SQL> execute movie_TYPE_prc ();

From another calling PL/SQL Block BEGIN

movie_TYPE_prc (Drama); END;

Function
A block of PL/SQL code containing a series of statements which can accept zero or more variables by memory reference and RETURNING one value to the calling block. An explicit RETURN value statement in the block exits the function and returns the value.
v_Return_Value := Function_Name(passed_in_parameter)

10

Function Example

CREATE OR REPLACE function movie_cnt_fnc (v_Type IN varchar2) RETURN NUMBER IS v_Counter number := 0; BEGIN SELECT COUNT(*) INTO v_Counter FROM MOVIE WHERE TYPE = v_Type; RETURN v_Counter; EXCEPTION WHEN NO_DATA_FOUND THEN RAISE; END; /

10a

Executing a function

DECLARE v_counter number := 0; V_type varchar2(100); BEGIN V_type := 'Horror'; v_Counter := movie_cnt_fnc (v_type); DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('There are ' || v_counter || ' ' || v_type || ' movies'); END; / Function returns a numeric value into the variable

Executing Functions

From a calling PL/SQL Block

BEGIN v_Counter := movie_cnt_fnc (v_type); END;

Executing Functions
From SQL:
SQL> select movie_cnt_fnc (v_type) from dual;

Executing Functions
From a sql PREDICATE Clause
BEGIN IF

movie_cnt_fnc (v_type) < 30

THEN RAISE_ALERT;

END IF;
END;

TASK!
Using the PL/SQL stored proc in lab task 9 Create a new stored procedure which being passed the movie type then calls the function created in lab task 10 and passes the movie type on to it for processing Rerun the procedure passing different types

11a

Solution!
CREATE OR REPLACE procedure movie_TYPE2_prc (v_type in varchar2) IS V_count number := 0; BEGIN v_Count := movie_cnt_fnc (v_type); DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE ('There are ' || v_count || ' ' || v_type || ' movies'); END; / SHOW ERRORS

Package
A block of PL/SQL code containing a collection of related procedures and/or functions.

There are two parts to a package: A specification lists the available procedures and functions along with their corresponding parameter declarations. The body contains the actual PL/SQL code.

Package Specification Example

CREATE OR REPLACE package movie_pack AS PROCEDURE movie_count_proc (v_Title IN varchar2); FUNCTION movie_cnt_fnc (v_Title IN varchar2) return number; END; / Specification must be compiled before the body

Package Body Example

CREATE OR REPLACE package body movie_pack AS v_Counter := 0; PROCEDURE movie_TYPE2_prc IS BEGIN -------------------------------------------END movie_TYPE2_prc; FUNCTION movie_cnt_fnc RETURN number IS BEGIN ------------------------------------------END movie_cnt_fnc ; END;

Executing Packaged Procedures

From SQL*Plus passing parameters
SQL> execute Moviepack. movie_TYPE2_prc(Horror); From SQL*Plus (no parameters) SQL> execute Moviepack. movie_TYPE2_prc(); From another calling PL/SQL Block

BEGIN
Moviepack. movie_TYPE2_prc(Horror); END;

Trigger
A block of PL/SQL code containing a series of statements which are attached to an Oracle table. This code is executed whenever a triggering event occurs. This event can be a row inserted, deleted or updated. (individually or any combination) The code can execute once for each row or can be set to execute just once per event. Update triggers can be set to trigger when individual columns change.

What do you use triggers for?

To auto populate ID fields from sequences To enter date/time and username for update changes to table rows To handle foreign key DML changes to multiple tables To audit structural or data changes to tables Almost anything else!

Trigger Example
CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER CREATE_SCRIPT_NAME_TRG BEFORE INSERT ON DEVTRACKER FOR EACH ROW begin SELECT LPAD(SCRIPT_SEQ.NEXTVAL,5,'0')||'-01DT'||:new.DT_NUM INTO :new.SCRIPT FROM dual; :new.SCRIPT_DATE := SYSDATE; end; /

Trigger Example with 11g change direct assignment from sequences

CREATE OR REPLACE TRIGGER CREATE_SCRIPT_NAME_TRG BEFORE INSERT ON DEVTRACKER FOR EACH ROW begin :new.SCRIPT := LPAD(SCRIPT_SEQ.NEXTVAL,5,'0')||'-01DT'||:new.DT_NUM; :new.SCRIPT_DATE := SYSDATE; end; /

Conventions for calling named PL/SQL blocks

Simple - just the procedure/function name proc_name Qualified - package_name.proc_name Remote - name + @remote_loc Qualified and Remote package_name.proc_name@remote.loc

Final Thoughts
PL/SQL is an extraordinary excellent way to transfer code functionality to the database Improve performance time for data transfers Simplified Maintenance Easy to Code Constantly improving

Final Thoughts
Oracle keeps adding new functionality to its packages and more packages Break complicated logic into simpler blocks of called code Automate simple tasks like statistic creation Handy functions make life simpler

I see PL/SQL in your Future!

Contact Info
sam.weber@attask.com Contact me if you have follow-up questions Check Out www.attask.com on the internet, its a great Project and Portfolio management software for project managers, developers and executives

DBA

Questions?